Though political figures have accused the FAA of foot dragging, a spokeswoman said the agency is working on approving a plan to allow the flights “as quickly as we can.”

The aircraft would be housed in a Naval base in Corpus Christ Christi.

- British firm Balli Aviation, Ltd., was recently fined $2 million by a U.S. Federal Court for illegally exporting a Boeing 747 into Iran.

Court documents contend that the company planned to bring three commercial jets into the country without a required export license.

- A recently published Harvard report outlines the steps needed to implement NexGen air traffic control nationwide.

Recommendations include a governance strategy to build support from pilots, controllers and travelers; leadership from government and commerce; placing incentives to speed up conversion; developing financing solutions; and creating an entity for risk management. Read the full report here.

- EAA Airventure will include a live auction this year, the first of its kind. To sign up to sell or buy a plane, or merely to get more info on the event, click the blue texthere.